RECENT RESEARCH potentiate the effect of fluconazole and nystatin .
Methods : The effect of O-EO was evaluated on ATCC reference strains of C . albicans and non-albicans Candida species . Minimum inhibitory concentration ( MIC ) was determined through broth microdilution assay . Adhesion to microplates was determined by crystal violet ( CV ) assay . An adapted scratch assay in 24-well was used to determine the effect of essential oil on biofilms proliferation . Viability of biofilms was evaluated by MTT reduction assay and through a checkerboard assay we determined if O-EO could act synergistically with fluconazole and nystatin .
Results : MIC for C . albicans ATCC- 90029 and ATCC-10231 was 0.01 mg / L and 0.97 mg / L , respectively . For nonalbicans Candida strains MIC values were 2.6 mg / L for C . dubliniensis ATCC-CD36 and 5.3 mg / L for C . krusei ATCC-6258 . By using these concentrations , O-EO inhibited morphogenesis , adhesion , and proliferation at least by 50 % for the strains assayed . In formed biofilms O-EO decreased viability in ATCC 90029 and ATCC 10231 strains ( IC50 7.4 and 2.8 mg / L respectively ). Finally , we show that O-EO interacted synergistically with fluconazole and nystatin .
Conclusions : This study demonstrate that O-EO could be considered to improve the antifungal treatment against Candida spp .
Complementary medicine
Mulder L , Busch M , Kristoffersen AE , Nordberg JH , van der Werf E .
Prevalence and predictive factors of complementary medicine use during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 in the Netherlands . BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies , 2022 ; 22 , Article number : 43 .
Introduction : Major life changing events such as the COVID-19 pandemic may have major impact on one ’ s health and general well-being . This study aimed to determine the prevalence and predictive factors , including gender specific differences , of Complementary Medicine ( CM ) use ( including CM consultations , self-care management and self-help techniques ) during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 in the Netherlands .
Methods : CM use was studied among a random representative sample ( n = 1004 ) of the adult Dutch population using an online survey conducted from 22 – 27 May 2020 . The survey included a modified version of I-CAM-Q and additional questions on demographic characteristics , reasons for CM use , perceived effectiveness and side effects .
Results : 68.0 % of the participants reported to have used CM ( CM consultations ( 13.3 %), self-management strategies ( 59.4 %), self-help techniques ( 30.0 %)). Most frequently reported reason of CM use was to improve general well-being ( 61.6 %), prevention and / or treatment of COVID-19 was only reported by 10 %. Perceived effectiveness of CM was high and number of experienced side effects low . Being a women , worried to get infected with COVID-19 , higher education and living in northern / middle region of the Netherlands were predictive factors to use CM .
Conclusions : In the Netherlands , specific groups ( e . g . women / highly educated ) use CM , mainly to improve general wellbeing , and seem to benefit of it during the first months of the pandemic . The high perceived effectiveness and low reporting of side effects should encourage medical professionals and policy makers for more openness towards considering CM as being part of an integrative approach to public health in times life changing events occur .
Kohl-Heckl WK , Koch AK , Cramer H .
Complementary medicine use in stroke survivors : a US nationally representative survey . BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies , 2022 ; 22 , Article number : 41 .
Background : Stroke is the second most common cause of death worldwide . Even after surviving , long-term rehabilitation often becomes necessary and does not always lead to complete recovery . Guidelines focus on prevention of risk factors and present concepts for rehabilitation after a stroke . Additional to these recommendations , complementary medicine ( CM ) utilization is common among patients with neurological conditions . CM also offers a wide range of therapies for both prevention and rehabilitation in stroke . There is limited information available on CM utilization among stroke survivors and differences to patients without former stroke diagnosis .
Methods and results : This analysis was based on data of the 2017 National Health Interview survey ( NHIS , n = 26,742 ; response rate 80,7 %). We analyzed the prevalence of consultations among stroke patients with CM practitioners within the last 12 months and reasons for utilization . 3.1 % of participants reported a stroke , individuals without a prior stroke diagnosis were more likely to have used CM in the past 12 months ( 31.3 % without versus 28.9 % with stroke ). Consultations with a chiropractor and of using mindbody-medicine was higher in individuals without stroke diagnosis , while more stroke survivors had consulted a naturopath . Equal proportions had consulted a homeopath . Most common therapy approaches among stroke survivors were spiritual meditation ( 13.7 %), progressive relaxation ( 5.4 %), yoga ( 5.2 %), mindfulness meditation ( 4.3 %), mantra meditation ( 3.1 %), guided imagery ( 2.6 %) and tai chi ( 1.7 %). CM use in stroke survivors was associated with female sex ( adjusted odds ratio [ AOR ] = 2.12 , 95 % confidence interval [ CI ] = 1.56 – 2.88 ) and higher education ( AOR = 1.94 , CI = 1.42 – 2.65 ).
Conclusion : Stroke patients were less likely to take advantage of complementary medicine than the general population . Since there are many safe and beneficial options , stroke survivors might profit from better information about the existing possibilities regarding prevention and rehabilitation .
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